Skin, Hair and Nails

Skin problems such as pimples, blackheads, rashes and oily skin aren't just for teens. They're also common in adults. But you don't necessarily need a dermatologist to treat them.
A Fresh Look at Common Skin Concerns ›

Warts are non-cancerous skin growths caused by the papillomavirus. Warts are more common in children than adults, although they can develop at any age. Warts can spread to other parts of the body and to other persons. There are many different types of warts, due to many different papillomavirus types (more than 100). Warts are not painful, except when located on the feet. Most warts go away, without treatment, over an extended period of time.

The following are the more common types of warts:

Common warts - growths around nails and the back of hands; usually have a rough surface; grayish-yellow or brown in color.

Foot warts - located on the soles of feet (plantar warts) with black dots (clotted blood vessels that once fed them); clusters of plantar warts are called mosaic. These warts may be painful.

Flat warts - small, smooth growths that grow in groups up to 100 at a time; most often appear on children's faces.

Genital warts - grow on the genitals, are occasionally sexually transmitted; are soft and do not have a rough surface like other common warts.

Most of us pull off the odd bit of skin or squeeze a random pimple. But for some people, the squeezing, scratching, or picking becomes an absolutely monstrous, compulsive behavior that threatens to take over their lives. Concealing what they are doing and its impact can trigger desperate attempts at camouflage and the avoidance of activities and relationships.

As a practicing skin psychologist for 30 years, I have seen a huge recent increase in people coming in with skin picking and scratching problems. Some have an underlying skin disease, but the behavior itself may be the whole story. Feeling great shame, people become isolated, rarely talking to friends and neighbors about their problem. This makes it hard for them to connect with others for support. The Internet may become their key source of support and information.

Botox® (botulinum toxin) is a protein that causes botulism, a serious and sometimes fatal foodborne illness. In very diluted form, however, Botox® has become a popular treatment for facial wrinkling. By injecting tiny amounts of diluted toxin into the forehead muscles and the muscles around the eyes, dermatologists can temporarily ease some of the wrinkles caused by aging.
The toxin has several other medical uses, including certain eye disorders, severe underarm sweating and severe muscle spasms in the neck and shoulder.
Although Botox® can be deadly, the risk for contracting botulism from the diluted toxin used medically is quite low.
Common Cosmetic Uses of Botox®
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Decision Guides for Skin, Hair and Nail Symptoms

It's not uncommon for children of all ages to develop a rash. Infections, with bacteria or viruses, often cause rashes. Some of these infections are more serious than others. Most rashes are not cause for concern, but some rashes need a doctor's attention.
Answering the questions in this health decision guide will help you understand more about common childhood rashes, and help you know when to contact your doctor for medical care. If your baby is less than one month, visit the Rash in Newborns guide listed above.
Please note, this guide is not meant to take the place of a visit to your pediatrician's office. Begin Evaluating Your Child's Rash ›